Chapter 89

In the western part of Chengtianzhai Village, there was a quadrangle courtyard. Facing south, the three main rooms were built with adobe and bricks, showing signs of age. Although the courtyard was made of yellow earth, it was swept clean, and an old dog with patchy fur wandered around.

At this moment, several elderly people were sitting in the main room. They were seated on small stools and grass mats woven from straw, holding two-yuan Jinzhong cigarettes between their fingers.

"Uncle Er, have some water," a woman with white hair said, carrying a spotted tray and carefully placing several coarse porcelain bowls on a small table.

The small table was sturdy, but its design suggested it was quite old.

The elder sitting at the head of the table, his face etched with the marks of time, waved his hand and said, "Xigui's wife, you don't need to fuss. We'll chat for a bit and then leave."

The woman didn't say anything, just smiled. However, from her expression, it was clear she didn't want to leave the room. In the end, she took the tray, glanced at the old man smoking silently, and quietly walked out the door.

The elder who had spoken picked up the sugar water, took a sip, and then touched his wet mustache, saying, "Xigui, we came here mainly to witness something for Jiaxing. He wants to talk to you about the two families."

The man called Xigui was wearing a black cotton jacket, with several patches that, despite being skillfully sewn, still couldn't hide the wear. He took a deep drag on his cigarette, coughed, and said, "Brother Jiaxing, what's up?"

From the way he addressed him, it seemed that Jiaxing was older than Xigui, but looking at the two, Xigui seemed to be the older one. Although he was a villager, Tian Jiaxing's face didn't show much hardship. He had a plump, fair face, and his hair was neatly combed, giving him a distinct appearance.

He took out a two-yuan Caidie cigarette from his blue down jacket, passed it around, and then said, "Xigui, I originally planned to come and talk to you myself, but I thought since it involves the children's future, it would be better to bring a few elders along."

At the mention of the children, Xigui's lips twitched involuntarily. Tian Jiaxing bringing the family elders to his house didn't bode well.

He squeezed the Jinzhong cigarette in his hand, the hot ash burning his calloused palm, but he felt nothing.

"Brother Xigui, our families have always had a good relationship. I've watched Jiguo grow up. He's a good kid, hardworking and diligent. I like him," Tian Jiaxing said, stroking his chin. "He and Tian Hua grew up together. If the two kids could be together, I'd be very happy."

Xigui was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. He had been worried sick about his eldest son, losing sleep and concluding that the two kids had no future together.

Not only was Tian Hua now a formal teacher in the town, but even if she weren't, Tian Jiaxing would be a tough hurdle to clear. Xigui and Jiaxing grew up together, and Xigui knew Jiaxing's character well. Jiaxing had always been materialistic, with a heart as full of schemes as a beehive. Given their family's poor situation, how could Jiaxing possibly agree to marry his daughter to them?

Xigui hesitated, finding the situation unbelievable. Just then, Jiaxing continued, "Brother Xigui, I've thought about Hua's future. A few days ago, I went to the county town to see my brother. He's already taken care of everything. After the New Year, Hua will be teaching in the county town!"

"The county town is different from our village. There are classrooms where they can stay. If the two kids get married, they'll need a place to live. I went to the county town a few days ago and found a good plot of land, about half an acre. I've already negotiated the price and paid for it. What do you think about building a house there?"

Jiaxing paused, but his meaning was clear: if your son wants to marry my daughter, build a house in the county town. I've already bought the land!

Xigui looked up at the gray, worn-out roof of his main room, feeling a pang of sadness. These three rooms were built twenty years ago when he got married, and now they were drafty and leaky. How could he possibly afford to build a house in the county town?

"Marriage is about clothes and food. Xigui, Jiaxing's suggestion is good. I think it would be great for the two kids to live in the county town," Uncle Er said, stroking his beard and smiling.

Xigui didn't respond, just passed the Jinzhong cigarettes around again. The few people in the room began discussing how much it would cost to build a house in the county town, and some even marveled at Tian Hua's ability to get a job in the county school.

Tian Jiaxing maintained a faint smile, speaking calmly. He had heard such flattery many times before. He smiled at everyone and said lightly, "Our daughter Hua is a good teacher, and with her uncle's recommendation, the matter was settled."

Although he spoke casually, for the villagers, it was a big deal. Uncle Er chuckled, "Your brother is a golden phoenix from our village, a bureau chief in the county, a big shot like a town mayor."

"Ha ha ha, Uncle Er, my brother will be very happy to hear your praise..."

As the conversation continued, the group left the Cheng family. Jiaxing hadn't expected Xigui to give him a clear answer. His main goal was to make the Cheng family understand the concept of knowing when to back down.

Your son likes my daughter? Fine, considering we're old neighbors, I'll agree to the marriage, but my daughter will be teaching in the county town and needs a place to live. I've already bought the land; you just need to build the house.

If you can't build it, what face will you have to let your son pursue my daughter? The Cheng family, in front of so many villagers, will lose face.

Jiaxing was at his wit's end. He knew his daughter's stubbornness; no amount of reasoning would work. The only way was to find a breakthrough with the Cheng family.

A person needs a face, just as a tree needs bark. If the two kids can't be together, it's not because I, Tian Jiaxing, am being unreasonable, but because the Cheng family lacks the means! He believed that Xigui, with his stubborn character, would force his son to break things off.

Cheng Jiguo is a decent guy, but no matter how good he is, he's still a farmer. Everyone says that raising a daughter means hoping for a good match. Can a farmer's son like Cheng Jiguo match up with my daughter, who has a college education and a government job? This is killing me!

"Brother Xigui, you should talk to Jiguo about this! Jiaxing isn't here to discuss the marriage; he's here to tell us that we're not good enough to marry his daughter. I've worked in the county town; building a house there costs at least 20,000 yuan," Cheng Xifa, a cousin who was close to Xigui, said, pinching his cigarette and speaking solemnly.

Xigui nodded, "Xifa, I know."

"My wife's cousin's second daughter is pretty, good at sewing, and has a good character. She met Jiguo when she came to our house and seemed interested. During the New Year, I'll have my sister-in-law feel out the situation. If there are no problems, we'll set the marriage!"

Xigui fell silent at Xifa's suggestion. The two of them just smoked, and the room soon filled with smoke. Xigui finished his cigarette, stomped it out, and rubbed his hands together, "Thanks, Xifa!"

When Cheng Jiguo returned home, the smell of smoke still lingered. He looked at his father, who was smoking silently, hesitated, and then asked softly, "Dad, what did they come for?"

"Nothing much," the old man's wrinkled face remained calm. He gave his wife a look, "Wife, cut some sausage from the other day. I'll have a drink with Jiguo."

The wife, Ren Gaini, looked at the old man, opened her mouth to speak, but then swallowed her words. She looked at her son with deep affection, took the old pickled vegetables from the table, and started to fry eggs for him.

Xigui took out a bottle of liquor from the cabinet, "Let's try this liquor, son."

Blood rushed to Jiguo's head. He looked at his father in shock, feeling helpless and a sharp pain in his chest, his muscles tensing, and his limbs becoming numb and stiff.

Xigui picked up the small bowl in front of him and gulped down the liquor.

Jiguo, watching his father, also picked up his bowl and drank the liquor.

The two of them drank in silence. In just a few minutes, a third of the bottle was gone. No one touched the food on the plate.

Finishing the last drop in his bowl, Xigui said, "Son, let me tell you an old saying: tailor the clothes to fit the body, and cook according to the pot. I know you're upset. I've asked Uncle Xifa to find a match for you. Let's live a simple life, be a farmer, and be content. Farmers are a hardworking people!"

Jiguo's lips trembled as he nodded, "Dad, I understand!"

"Dad, my brother likes Sister Tian Hua. You can't force him," Xiaoling came in from outside.

"Your father doesn't have that power!" Xigui raised his hand but didn't strike. Xiaoling's eyes filled with tears.

Cheng Jiguo, feeling weak in his legs, returned to the room. He touched the small radio in his pocket, thinking of the woman's gentle sobs on his chest, and his heart ached as if pierced by a thousand needles...

PS: Three Rivers will be sealed in the afternoon. Please support me, brothers!

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